WE ARE FOR OUR PLANT & BUG FRIENDS
As dwellers of this planet, it is inevitable that we leave an impact on the environment. That is why we reiterate the importance of being more mindful and conscious about our environmental footprint at BB Coffee and strive to make our impact a positive one instead.
We believe that even waste should be given a second purpose and we are ecstatic to be part of a collaboration that allows us to do so! Our cafes generate several kilograms of coffee grounds each day and instead of throwing them out, we provide them to Insect Feed Technologies and Cultivate Central.
Founded by Sean, Insect Feed Technologies converts our coffee grounds into insect protein. Traditional sources of protein for animal feed like soy and fishmeal are finite and unsustainable in the long haul. Insect Feed Technologies therefore aims to support the world’s population and food systems by farming Black Soldier Flies (BSF) as a reliable, cost-effective and sustainable source of protein. BSF are highly harvestable because of their rapid growth rate and superb adaptability competence. They are able to consume and break down various types of food waste at high rates, and our coffee grounds have been tested and fit the profile for BSF. In addition, Sean has since embarked on a new project that utilises our coffee grounds for mushroom growth. How exciting!
Insect Feed Technologies using our coffee grounds as insect feed for BSF.
We also work closely with Ms Nova of Cultivate Central. They are a social enterprise that aims to bring sustainable urban farming to everyday communities and cities. We chose to work with Cultivate Central because we love how they want to surpass the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and aspire to regenerate and create a closed loop initiative to keep the environmental impact of food production at a minimum. Our coffee grounds come into play as natural fertiliser for plant growth on their farms and was even part of their Worms Love Coffee Children’s Workshop!
The team at Cultivate Central are passionate about vermicomposting, where worms turn waste into something meaningful. The critters in their Worms on Wheels Composting Station are first fed our coffee grounds and other kitchen and garden waste. Our coffee grounds are crucial to this process as they help grind food scraps, allowing for waste to be converted into vermicast, aka worm poo. Vermicast gets harvested from the bottom of the composting station and acts as a precious fertiliser that regenerates the soil on Cultivate Central’s farms. Take a look at the process below!
Cultivate Central using our coffee grounds for their Worms on Wheels Composting Station.
Just like Insect Feed Technologies and Cultivate Central, we wish to be part of a sustainable cycle that maximises our resources in the system, while at the same time reducing the amount of waste that we produce. This collaboration is just one of the many ways we seek to improve ourselves and we hope to be facilitators of change not only within our company, but also inspire everyone in our supply chain and communities to do good.
What are some of your efforts that you have been engaging in to reduce your environmental footprint? We would love to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us too if you have more ideas on how we can do things better!